Nutritional composition, methods of producing said composition and methods of using said composition

ABSTRACT

Nutritional compositions comprising at least one of aloe vera, hydrolyzed collagen, garcinia cambogia, chromium polynicotinate, chromium picolinate, chromium cruciferate, conjugated linoleic acid, fiber and natural amino acids are disclosed. Nutritional compositions comprising aloe vera, hydrolyzed collagen, garcinia cambogia tea, fenugreek tea, coleus forskohli tea, chromium polynicotinate, chromium picolinate, chromium cruciferate, conjugated linoleic acid, fiber and natural amino acids are also disclosed. Methods for preparing and using these compositions are additionally provided.

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/740,171 filed Dec. 18, 2000, which claimedpriority to provisional application No. 60/171,267 filed Dec. 16, 1999.Both of the 09/740,171 and 60/171,267 applications are incorporatedherein by reference for background information. The present inventionclaims priority to the subject matter disclosed in both of the09/740,171 and 60/171,267 applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that a nutritional composition comprising atleast one of aloe vera, hydrolyzed collagen, garcinia cambogia tea,fenugreek tea, coleus forskohli tea, chromium polynicotinate, chromiumpicolinate, chromium cruciferate, conjugated linoleic acid, fiber andnatural amino acids effectively assists in the reduction of body fat,enhancement of nutrient absorption, and formation and protection of leanmuscle tissue. The composition may also possess antioxidant properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a nutritional composition comprising atleast one of aloe vera, collagen and a chromium compound. Thecomposition can further include at least one of fiber, conjugatedlineolic acid, natural amino acids or garcinia cambogia.

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a nutritional supplementcomprising at least one of aloe vera, collagen, a chromium compound or achromium mixture, linoleic acid and natural amino acids.

In another embodiment the invention provides a nutritional compositioncomprising at least one of aloe vera, one or a combination of collagenor hydrolyzed collagen, fenugreek tea, coleus forskohli tea, chromiumpolynicotinate, chromium picolinate, chromium cruciferate, conjugatedlinoleic acid, and natural amino acids. The composition may furtherinclude one or more of garcinia cambogia tea, stevia tea or fiber. Theembodiment of the present invention are not limited to the exemplaryembodiments presented herein and can include or exclude one or more ofthe components disclosed herein.

The composition of the instant invention helps reduce body fat in humansand enhances the human body's use and absorption of nutrients. Thecomposition of the present invention is also useful in promoting theformation and protection of lean muscle tissue in humans. Thecomposition of the present invention may also possess antioxidantproperties. The composition may possess additional beneficialproperties. The composition of the instant invention can be provided ina variety of forms. Thus, beverages, foods, dietary supplements, andnutritional products containing the composition of the instant inventionare included in the scope of the invention.

The present invention further provides a process for producing thecompositions of the invention. This process includes, but is not limitedto, certain heating, homogenization, and cooling steps.

The present invention additionally provides a process for maintainingthe components of the composition in solution. Such process includes,but is not limited to, the addition of glycerin and/or naturalingredients to the composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As stated, the present invention is directed to a nutritionalcomposition. The composition can include one or more of aloe vera,collagen, chromium and amino acid. One or more of the following can alsobe added to the composition: conjugated lineolic acid, fiber, garciniacambogia, fenugreek tea, coleus forskohli tea, chromium poly nicotinate,chromium picolinate, chromium cruciferate and conjugated linoleic acid.Thus, the embodiments of the present invention include a plurality ofdifferent compositions based on the particular ingredients that arepresent in the composition.

For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides anutritional composition comprising at least one aloe vera, hydrolyzedcollagen, chromium polynicotinate, chromium picolinate, chromiumcruciferate, conjugated linoleic acid, fiber and natural amino acids.Among others, garcinia cambogia, can be optionally added to thisembodiment. In another embodiment, the instantly claimed inventionfurther provides a nutritional composition comprising aloe vera,hydrolyzed collagen, garcinia cambogia tea, fenugreek tea, coleusforskohli tea, chromium polynicotinate, chromium picolinate, chromiumcruciferate, conjugated linoleic acid, fiber and natural amino acids. Inyet another exemplary embodiment, the composition can comprise aloevera, collagen, a chromium mixture, linoleic acid and natural aminoacids. In still another exemplary embodiment, the composition caninclude at least one of aloe vera, collagen, chromium polynicotinate,conjugated linoleic acid, fiber and natural amino acids. In yet anotherexemplary embodiment, the invention can include at least one ofcollagen, fenugreek tea, coleus forskohli tea, a chromium mixture,conjugated linoleic acid, fiber and natural amino acids. In stillanother exemplary embodiment, the composition can include at least oneof aloe vera, hydrolyzed collagen, fenugreek tea, coleus forskohli tea,a chromium mixture, conjugated linoleic acid, soluble dietary fiber,L-lysine, L-ornithine, L-arginine, L-carnitine, L-glycine andtrimethylglycine. Other embodiment of the invention can include orexclude one or more of the garcinia cambogia or other componentsdisclosed herein. The embodiments of the invention can exist in manyforms, including dry, powder or aqueous forms.

The aloe vera of the present invention can exist in many forms,including concentrated, dry or aqueous forms. Aloe vera contains over200 nutrients that benefit the immune system and digestive tract. Wherethe composition of the instant invention is in dry form, aloe vera ispresent in the composition in concentrated, dry form in an amount ofabout 0.06-0.25% by weight, preferably about 0.065%-0.2%, morepreferably about 0.07%-0.15%, yet more preferably about 0.075-0.1%,still more preferably about 0.075%. Where the composition is in a liquidor aqueous form, concentrated, dry aloe vera can be reconstituted withwater to arrive at a final 200:1 ratio. Where the composition is in aliquid or aqueous form, aloe vera can be present in the composition inan amount of up to about 50% by weight, preferably about 13-40%, morepreferably about 14-30%, yet more preferably about 15-20%, still morepreferably about 15%.

Collagen is a protein which can be found in skin, bones, and lean muscletissue. Collagen assists the body in building lean muscle tissue.Preferably, the collagen utilized in the nutritional composition of theinstant invention is in a hydrolyzed form. The collagen, preferably inhydrolyzed form, of the nutritional composition of the instant inventioncan be present in an amount of up to about 30% by weight, preferablyabout 11%-25%, more preferably about 11.5%-20%, yet more preferablyabout 12%-15%, still more preferably about 12.5%.

The garcinia cambogia, fenugreek and coleus forskohli utilized in thenutritional composition of the instant invention comprise herbalextracts of garcinia cambogia, fenugreek and coleus forskohli,respectively. Since garcinia cambogia as well as fenugreek and coleusforskohli are not readily soluble in water, these components can bepresent as liquid tea extracts. In one embodiment, such teas areprepared by placing garcinia cambogia, fenugreek and/or coleus forskohliin boiling water for a time sufficient to produce a concentrated teaextract. Where the compositions are in liquid or aqueous form, garciniacambogia tea, fenugreek tea and coleus forskohli tea can each be presentin an amount of about 0.005-5% by weight, preferably about 0.5%.

The chromium component of the invention comprises chromium picolinate,chromium polynicotinate, chromium cruciferate, or mixtures thereof. Theterm “chromium mixture” as used herein refers to a mixture of chromiumpicolinate, chromium polynicotinate and chromium cruciferate. Thechromium utilized in the composition of the present invention cancomprise a chromium mixture. The chromium mixture can be present in anamount of about 0.00005%-0.0003 by weight, preferably about 0.0001%,more preferably about 0.001275%. The chromium polynicotinate utilized inthe composition of the present invention is commercially available asChromeMate®. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the artthat other commercially known compositions of chromium can be utilizedwithin the scope of the present invention.

The conjugated linoleic acid of the nutritional composition of theinstant invention can be present in an amount of about 0.000005%-0.0003%by weight, preferably about 0.00001%.

The natural amino acids of the instant invention can comprise, forexample, L-lysine, preferably in an amount of about 0.005-5% by weight,preferably about 0.2393%, more preferably about 0.1000%; L-ornithine,preferably in an amount of about 0.005-5% by weight, preferably about0.2019%, more preferably about 0.0750%; L-arginine, preferably in anamount of about 0.005-5% by weight, preferably about 0.2019%, morepreferably about 0.0750%; L-camitine, preferably in an amount of about0.005-5% by weight, preferably about 0.2393%, more preferably about0.0750%; trimethylglycine, preferably in an amount of about 0.005-5% byweight, preferably about 0.1835%, more preferably about 0.0750%; andL-glycine, preferably in an amount of about 0.005-5%, preferably about0.1500%.

The fiber of the nutritional composition of the instant invention can bepresent in an amount of about 0.8-18% by weight, preferably about 7.409%by weight. Preferably, natural chicory extract, which is a solubledietary fiber, is utilized.

The nutritional composition of the instant invention is useful forreducing human body fat, promoting the formation and protection of humanlean muscle tissue, and enhancing the human body's use and absorption ofnutrients. Reduction of body fat can be measured by methods known in theart, including measuring weight loss. Formation and protection of humanlean muscle tissue as well as enhancement of use and absorption ofnutrients can be evaluated and measured by appropriate methods known inthe art. The composition of the present invention is also useful as anantioxidant. The composition may also possess additional beneficialproperties including aiding in the healing and/or repair of human bodytissue, treatment of various human ailments and/or prevention oramelioration of the ill effects of aging on the human body. Thenutritional composition can be provided in a variety of forms.Accordingly, beverages, foods, dietary supplements, and nutraceuticalproducts containing the nutritional composition of the instant inventionmay be produced. In one embodiment, the nutritional composition of theinstant invention is utilized in dietary supplement beverages. Where thenutritional composition of the instant invention is employed in adietary supplement beverage, additional ingredients such as the herbalextract stevia can be added as well as natural flavors such asstrawberry and kiwi. Additionally, preservatives such as sodiumbenzoate, and other commonly known preservatives, may be added toincrease the longevity of the dietary supplement beverage.

In one embodiment of the invention, kiwi fruit extract is added to thecomposition as a sweetener. Trutina Dulcem can be used as the kiwi fruitextract. Kiwi extract can provide thermogenic properties suitable forthe nutritional supplement of the present invention. Other knowncompositions a that can provide thermogenic properties can also be addedto the supplemental composition of the present invention and areconsidered well within the scope of the invention. Trutina Dulcem andother compositions having thermogenic properties can be added alone orin combination with other sweeteners that may or may not havethermogenic properties.

Where the nutritional composition of the present invention is utilizedin a dietary supplement beverage, one tablespoon of such beverage alongwith a glass of water can be ingested at nighttime prior to sleeping.While the composition can be consumed anytime, can preferably beconsumed about 2-3 hours after last eating, and more preferably about 3hours after eating. Moreover, ingesting the nutritional composition ofthe instant invention immediately prior to sleeping allows for optimalhealing and repair of the body. Preferably, no food or drinks, exceptfor water, should be ingested for a minimum of three hours prior toingesting the beverage. Preferably, the dietary supplement beverageshould be consumed every day. The dietary supplement beverage can alsobe ingested more than once a day and at times other than nighttime.

The instant invention further provides methods for maintaining thecomponents of the nutritional composition of the present invention insolution. Such methods include, but are not limited to the addition ofglycerin and/or natural ingredients. Such methods comprise adding to thecomposition glycerin in an amount of about 2-5% by weight, preferablyabout 2.5%, and/or natural ingredients in amounts effective to maintainthe components of the composition of the instant invention in solution.

A dietary supplement beverage comprising the nutritional composition ofthe instant invention can be produced by combining at least one ofglycerin, collagen, preferably hydrolyzed in form, conjugated linoleicacid, xanthan gum, aloe gel powder, L-lysine, L-ornithine, L-arginine,L-camitine, trimethylglycine, L-glycine, stevia, garcinia cambogia tea,fenugreek tea, coleus forskohli tea, a chromium mixture, citric acid,sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, soluble dietary fiber, natural kiwiand strawberry flavor, and purified water in amounts in accordance withthe invention.

The instant invention additionally relates to processes for producingdietary supplement beverages comprising the nutritional composition ofthe present invention. Such processes include, but are not limited toheating and homogenization of the collagen and conjugated linoleic acidprior to addition of the collagen and conjugated linoleic acid to thedietary supplement beverage. Such processes comprise, prior to additionof the glycerin and collagen to the dietary supplement beverage, heatingthe glycerin and collagen to about 70-80° C., preferably about 75° C.;followed by homogenization of the glycerin and collagen for about 20-40minutes, preferably about 30 minutes; followed by addition of thecollagen and glycerin to the nutritional composition of the dietarysupplement beverage described herein above. The processes furthercomprise, prior to addition of the purified water, conjugated linoleicacid, and xanthan gum to the dietary supplement beverage formulation,heating said purified water, conjugated linoleic acid, and xanthan gumto about 60-80° C., preferably between 70-75 ° C.; followed byhomogenization of the purified water, conjugated linoleic acid, andxanthan gum for about 40-50 minutes, preferably about 45 minutes;followed by addition of the purified water, conjugated linoleic acid,and xanthan gum to the nutritional composition of the dietary supplementbeverage described herein above.

The embodiments represented herein are exemplary in nature and it isunderstood that a nutritional composition excluding one or more of thedisclosed elements are well within the scope of the invention.

1. A dietary supplement comprising aloe vera, collagen, a chromium mixture, linoleic acid and natural amino acids.
 2. The nutritional composition of claim 1 wherein said aloe vera is present in an amount of about 0.06-0.25% by weight.
 3. The nutritional composition of claim 1 wherein said aloe vera is present in an amount of about 0.075% by weight.
 4. The nutritional composition of claim 1 wherein said collagen is present in an amount of up to about 30% by weight.
 5. The nutritional composition of claim 1, wherein said collagen is present in an amount of about 12.5% by weight.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein said collagen is hydrolyzed collagen.
 7. The nutritional composition of claim 1 wherein said chromium mixture is present in an amount of about 0.00005-0.0003% by weight.
 8. The nutritional composition of claim 1 wherein said chromium mixture is present in an amount of about 0.0001% by weight.
 9. The nutritional composition of claim 1 wherein said conjugated linoleic acid is present in an amount of about 0.00001% by weight.
 10. A nutritional composition comprising aloe vera, collagen, chromium polynicotinate, conjugated linoleic acid, fiber and natural amino acids.
 11. The nutritional composition of claim 10 wherein said aloe vera is present in an amount of about 0.06-0.25% by weight.
 12. The nutritional composition of any of claims 10 wherein said aloe vera is present in an amount of about 0.075% by weight.
 13. The nutritional composition of claim 10 wherein said collagen is hydrolyzed collagen.
 14. The nutritional composition of claim 13 wherein said collagen or hydrolyzed collagen is present in an amount of up to about 30% by weight.
 15. The nutritional composition of claim 13 wherein said collagen or hydrolyzed collagen is present in an amount of about 12.5% by weight.
 16. The nutritional composition of claim 10 wherein said conjugated linoleic acid is present in an amount of about 0.000005-0.0003% by weight.
 17. The nutritional composition of claim 10 wherein said conjugated linoleic acid is present in an amount of about 0.00001% by weight.
 18. The nutritional composition of claim 10 wherein said fiber is present in an amount of about 0.8-18% by weight.
 19. The nutritional composition of claim 10 wherein said fiber is present in an amount of about 7.409% by weight.
 20. A nutritional composition comprising aloe vera, collagen, fenugreek tea, coleus forskohli tea, a chromium mixture, conjugated linoleic acid, fiber and natural amino acids.
 21. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said collagen is hydrolyzed collagen.
 22. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said aloe vera is present in an amount of about 0.06-0.25% by weight.
 23. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said aloe vera is present in an amount of about 0.075% by weight.
 24. The nutritional composition of claim 21 wherein said collagen or hydrolyzed collagen is present in an amount of up to about 30% by weight.
 25. The nutritional composition of claim 21, wherein said collagen or hydrolyzed collagen is present in an amount of about 12.5% by weight.
 26. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said fenugreek tea is present in an amount of about 0.005 to 5% by weight.
 27. The nutritional composition of claim 12 wherein said fenugreek tea is present in an amount of about 0.5% by weight.
 28. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said coleus forskohli tea is present in an amount of about 0.005 to 5% by weight.
 29. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said coleus forskohli tea is present in an amount of about 0.5% by weight.
 30. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said chromium mixture is present in an amount of about 0.00005-0.0003% by weight.
 31. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said chromium mixture is present in an amount of about 0.0001% by weight.
 32. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said conjugated linoleic acid is present in an amount of about 0.000005-0.0003% by weight.
 33. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said conjugated linoleic acid is present in an amount of about 0.00001% by weight.
 34. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said fiber is present in an amount of about 0.8-18% by weight.
 35. The nutritional composition of claim 20 wherein said fiber is present in an amount of about 7.409% by weight.
 36. A nutritional composition comprising aloe vera, hydrolyzed collagen, fenugreek tea, coleus forskohli tea, a chromium mixture, conjugated linoleic acid, soluble dietary fiber, L-lysine, L-ornithine, L-arginine, L-carnitine, L-glycine and trimethylglycine.
 37. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said aloe vera is present in an amount of about 0.06-0.25% by weight.
 38. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said aloe vera is present in an amount of about 0.075% by weight.
 39. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said hydrolyzed collagen is present in an amount of up to about 30% by weight.
 40. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said hydrolyzed collagen is present in an amount of about 12.5% by weight.
 41. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said fenugreek tea is present in an amount of about 0.005 to 5% by weight.
 42. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said fenugreek tea is present in an amount of about 0.5% by weight.
 43. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said coleus forskohli tea is present in an amount of about 0.005 to 5% by weight.
 44. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said coleus forskohli tea is present in an amount of about 0.5% by weight.
 45. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said chromium mixture is present in an amount of about 0.00005-0.0003% by weight.
 46. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said chromium mixture is present in an amount of about 0.0001% by weight.
 47. The nutritional composition of claim 36 herein said conjugated linoleic acid is present in an amount of about 0.000005-0.0003% by weight.
 48. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said conjugated linoleic acid is present in an amount of about 0.00001% by weight.
 49. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said L-lysine is present in an amount of about 0.005-5% by weight.
 50. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said L-lysine is present in an amount of about 0.1000% by weight.
 51. The nutritional composition of claims 36 wherein said L-ornithine is present in an amount of about 0.005-5% by weight.
 52. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said L-ornithine is present in an amount of about 0.0750% by weight.
 53. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said L-arginine is present in an amount of about 0.005-5% by weight.
 54. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said L-arginine is present in an amount of about 0.0750% by weight.
 55. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said L-carnitine is present in an amount of about 0.005-5% by weight.
 56. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said L-carnitine is present in an amount of about 0.0750% by weight.
 57. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said L-glycine is present in an amount of about 0.005-5% by weight.
 58. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said L-glycine is present in an amount of about 0.1500% by weight.
 59. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said trimethylglycine is present in an amount of about 0.005-5% by weight.
 60. The nutritional composition of claim 36 wherein said trimethylglycine is present in an amount of about 0.0750% by weight.
 61. A dietary supplement comprising aloe vera, collagen and conjugated linoleic acid.
 62. The dietary supplement of claim 61 further comprising a chromium composition.
 63. The dietary supplement of claim 61 further comprising natural amino acids.
 64. The dietary supplement of claim 61 wherein the collagen is hydrolyzed collagen.
 65. A dietary supplement comprising aloe vera, hydrolyzed, fenugreek tea, conjugated linoleic acid and a chromium mixture. 